Cationic fluorescent whitening agents

ABSTRACT

Cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR1## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agent containing basic tertiary amino groups, m is the number of basic amino groups, and each of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups, or is alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups. These compounds have good solubility in water and they make it possible to prepare concentrated solutions and can be used for whitening organic material.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 200,738 filed on Oct. 27,1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,121.

The present invention relates to novel cationic fluorescent whiteningagents, to a process for their production, and to the use thereof forwhitening organic material and for the preparation of concentratedaqueous solutions.

A large number of cationic fluorescent whitening agents which are ofonly limited solubility in water at room temperature are known from theliterature. These fluorescent whitening agents are quaternised ammoniumsalts of basic fluorescent whitening agents which are described e.g. inpatent specifications that usually also encompass the basic compoundsthemselves. Such compounds correspond to those fluorescent whiteningagents categorised hereinafter as B.

The invention relates to novel cationic fluorescent whitening agents ofthe formula ##STR2## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agentcontaining basic tertiary amino groups, m is the number of basic aminogroups and each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is alkyl or alkenyl, each of whichcontains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted bynon-chromophoric groups. Suitable fluorescent whitening agents B are,e.g. non-quaternised representatives B₁ belonging to the class of2-furanylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,497,525; 3,631,168;3,637,734; 3,900,419; 4,009,994; 4,018,789 and 4,146,725; GermanOffenlegungsschrift Nos. 2 346 316; 2 807 008; 2 852 531 and 2 821 116;2-azolylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,958),2-stilbenzylbenzimidazoles (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,916), basic1,2-bis-(azolyl)ethylenes (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,808,407; 3,259,619;3,169,960), 2,5-bis-(benzimidazolyl)-furanes (cf. U.S. Pat. No.3,005,779), basic 4,4'-bis-(azolyl)stilbenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No.3,583,984), basic 2-phenyl-5-azolylthiophenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No.3,264,315), basic 1,3-diphenylpyrazolines (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,131,079;3,378,389; 3,574,195; 4,183,853; 3,560,485; 3,690,947; 3,865,816;3,957,815; 4,045,169; 3,849,406; 4,085,101; 3,598,510; 3,141,879;4,151,163, 3,753,978; 4,129,563; German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. 2 755023; 2 346 316; 2 807 008; French patent specification No. 1 431 233),basic 4,4'-distyryl-biphenyls (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,399), basic1,4-distyrylbenzenes (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,446), basic3,7-disubstituted coumarins (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,251,851; 3,271,412;3,625,952; 3,663,560; 4,005,098; German Offenlegungsschrift No. 1 919181), basic naphthalimides (cf. British patent specification Nos.962,019 and 1,227,239; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,697,525; 3,625,947; 3,880,859;3,941,791; 3,776,932; 4,075,211; German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. 2 064159; 2 507 459; 2 641 001), basic 4,4'-bis-triazinylaminostilbenes (cf.German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. 1 930 309 and 2 060 085), basic2-stilben-4-yl-naphthotriazoles (cf. German Auslegeschrift No. 1 090169) and basic 4,4'-bis-(triazolyl)- and -(pyrazolyl)-stilbenes (cf.U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,824,236 and 3,796,706).

Compared with the compounds of the prior art cited above, the novelcationic fluorescent whitening agents of this invention aredistinguished by substantially improved solubility in water and in polarorganic solvents at room and elevated temperature. This improvedsolubility makes it possible to prepare fluorescent whitener solutionswith concentrations of up to 60% by weight, preferably of 10 to 50% byweight, of fluorescent whitening agent.

The number of basic amino groups is preferably 1 or 2. However, furtherbasic amino groups can also be present. By basic tertiary amino groupsare meant preferably amino groups of aliphatic or aromatic character.

Important cationic fluorescent whitening agents are those of the formula##STR3## wherein m₁ is 1 or 2 and each of R₁ ' and R₂ ' is alkyl of 1 to4 carbon atoms or benzyl and B₂ is a fluorescent whitening agent of theformula ##STR4## wherein M is alkylene--N(R₄)(R₅), pyrazolyl orpyridinyl, each of R₄ and R₅ independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbonatoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups,alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted bynon-chromophoric groups, or R₄ and R₅, together with the nitrogen atomto which they are attached, also form a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclicring, each of R₆ and R₇ independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atomswhich is unsubstituted or substituted by non-chromophoric groups,alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted bynon-chromophoric groups, or is phenyl, D is nitrogen or the --CH-group,Q is a non-chromophoric bridge member, X is a non-chromophoric bridgemember or the direct bond, n is 1 or 2, and p is 0 or 1, whilst thebenzene rings and the heterocyclic rings can also carry non-chromophoricsubstituents.

Suitable non-chromophoric bridge members Q are groups such as --SO₂-alkyleneoxy containing 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms in thealkylene moiety, --COO--, --SO₂ --, --SO₂ -alkylene-COO--, --SO₂-alkylene-CON(R)-- and --SO₂ N(R)--, wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1to 6, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, which can be substituted e.g. bycyano, carbamoyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen, alkoxy of 1to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ forms a piperazine ring.

Non-chromophoric bridge members X can be oxygen, sulfur, --SO₂ N(R)--,--CON(R)--, --OCO--, --COO--, the direct bond, --O--C₁₋₃alkylene-CON(R)-- or --O--C₁₋₃ alkylene-COO--.

The "alkylene" radicals can be variously straight-chain or branched andcontain 1 to 12, especially 1 to 6, carbon atoms. They can also carry ahydroxyl group.

Suitable alkyl radicals R₄ and R₅ are those containing 1 to 6,preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms. They can be substituted e.g. byhalogen, cyano, hydroxyl, alkoxy, phenyl or alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 5carbon atoms. The radicals R₄ and R₅ together can form a 5- to7-membered heterocyclic ring, e.g. a piperidine, pyrrolidine,hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring, which can be substituted by alkylgroups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R₄ together with R can also form apiperazine ring.

Alkyl groups R₆ which carry non-chromophoric substituents are inparticular the alkoxyalkyl group containing a total of 3 to 6 carbonatoms and the benzyl group, whilst R₇ is alkyl which is substituted byhydroxyl, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, carbalkoxy of 2 to 5 carbonatoms, cyano, phenyl or carbamoyl.

Alkenyl groups R₆ and R₇ are preferably unsubstituted and containpreferably 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and the phenyl radicals can beadditionally substituted e.g. by 1 to 2 alkyl groups each containing 1to 4 carbon atoms, chlorine, or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Representative examples of non-chromophoric substituents of the benzeneor heterocyclic nuclei are: halogen atoms, alkyl groups of 1 to 6 carbonatoms, cyclohexyl groups, alkenyl groups of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxygroups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy groups of 3 to 6 carbon atoms,phenoxy which can additionally be substituted by methyl, chlorine ormethoxy; alkylsulfonyl groups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl orphenoxysulfonyl which can additionally be substituted by methyl,chlorine or methoxy; benzylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl,alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 7 carbon atoms, carboxyl, phenyl, benzyl, --CONZ₁Z₂ or --SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂, wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbonatoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbonatoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbonatoms, benzyl, or dialkylaminoalkyl containing a total of 3 to 7 carbonatoms which can be quaternised by R₁ ', Z₂ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms or alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, and Z₁ and Z₂, togetherwith the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine,piperidine, N-alkylpiperazine ring containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in thealkyl moiety, or a hexamethyleneimine or morpholine ring.

In formula (2), R₁ ' and R₂ ' are preferably alkyl of 1 to 3 carbonatoms, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are preferably unsubstituted alkyl radicals of 1 to4 carbon atoms, whilst R₄ and R₅ together can form a pyrrolidine,piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical. R₄ can alsotogether with R form a piperazine ring. R₇ is preferably alkyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3carbon atoms, carbalkoxyalkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in thealkoxy moiety, benzyl or phenyl. D is preferably ═N--, X is oxygen, thedirect bond, --SO₂ N(R')--, --CON(R')-- or --COO--, and R' is hydrogen,alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by acyano group, or together with R₄ forms a piperazine ring. The benzeneand the heterocyclic rings are preferably substituted by hydrogen,chlorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,and the benzimidazole ring can additionally be substituted byalkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano,trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, --CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or --SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', whereinZ₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbonatoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing atotal of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl or benzyl, and Z₂ ' ishydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' and Z₂ ', together withthe nitrogen atom, can also form a morpholine ring.

Especially important cationic fluorescent whitening agents are those ofthe formula ##STR5## wherein m₁ is 1 or 2 and R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3carbon atoms and B₃ is a fluorescent whitener radical of the formula##STR6## in which radicals

R₆ ' is alkyl or 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R₇ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 to 4carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylmethylcontaining 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety,

R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonylcontaining a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, --CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or--SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', wherein Z₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl or 1 to 4 carbon atoms,alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms,alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' and Z₂ ', togetherwith the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form amorpholine ring,

R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₂, each independently of the other, are hydrogen,chlorine or methyl,

Q₁ is --COO-- or, preferably, --SO₂ --,

Y is alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, --N(R')-alkylene containing 2 to 4carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety, alkyleneoxyalkylene containing atotal of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, alkylene-COO-alkylene oralkylene-CONH-alkylene, each containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms,

R' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a cyano group, or together with R₄ ' is a piperazineradical,

X' is oxygen, sulfur, the direct bond, --SO₂ NR'--, --CONR' or --COO--,

E is alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a --OH group,

R₄ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R' is apiperazine radical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine,hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical,

R₅ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ ' is apyrrolidine, piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical,

R₁₃ is hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1to 4 carbon atoms,

n is 1 or 2, and

M is ##STR7## or the radical ##STR8##

Of particular interest are

(a) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR9##wherein A is a radical of the formula ##STR10## wherein R₆ ' is alkyl of1 to 4 carbon atoms and each of R₉ and R₁₀ independently is hydrogen,chlorine or methyl, R₇ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl,phenyl, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbonatoms, alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxymoiety, and R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl,alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl,CONZ₁ 'Z₂ ' or SO₂ NZ₁ 'Z₂ ', wherein Z₁ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, orbenzyl, and Z₂ ' is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ ' andZ₂ ', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, canalso form a morpholine ring,

(b) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR11##wherein R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, R₄ ' isalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R' is a piperazineradical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine,hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₅ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbonatoms, or together with R₄ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine,hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₁₁ and R₁₂ are hydrogen,methyl or chlorine, Y is alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms,--N(R')-alkylene containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylene moiety,alkyleneoxyalkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms,alkylene-COO-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms oralkylene-CONH-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and R'is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a cyano group, or together with R₄ ' forms a piperazinering, as well as

(c) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR12##wherein R₁ " is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, X' isoxygen, sulfur, the direct bond, --COO--, --CON(R")-- or --SO₂ N(R")--,and X' is preferably in the 2- or 3-position, R" is hydrogen, alkyl of 1to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R₄ ' is a piperazine radical, E isalkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted byan --OH group, R₄ ' is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or together with R"is a piperazine radical or together with R₅ ' is a pyrrolidine,piperidine, hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₅ ' is alkyl of 1to 4 carbon atoms or together with R₄ ' is a pyrrolidine, piperidine,hexamethyleneimine or morpholine radical, R₁₃ is hydrogen, chlorine,alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is1 or 2.

Most preferred are

(d) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR13##wherein A' is a radical of the formula ##STR14## R₇ " is alkyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, or cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, R₈ 'is hydrogen, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl,phenoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl, alkylsulfamoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano or chlorine, and R₁₀ ' ishydrogen, chlorine or methyl,

(e) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR15##wherein R₄ " is alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, or together with R'" formsa piperazine ring, R₅ " is alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, Y' is alkyleneof 2 to 4 carbon atoms, --N(R'")-alkylene containing 2 to 4 carbon atomsin the alkylene moiety, alkyleneoxyalkylene containing a total of 4 to 7carbon atoms or alkylene-CON(R'")-alkylene containing a total of 4 to 7carbon atoms, and R'" is hydrogen, cyanoethyl, or together with R₄ "forms a piperazine ring, as well as

(f) cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR16##wherein X" is oxygen, the direct bond, --SO₂ NH-- or --CONH-- in the 2-or 3-position, E' is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R₄ '" and R₅ '"are alkyl of 1 or 2 carbon atoms, or together are a pyrrolidine,piperidine or morpholine radical, and n is 1 or 2.

The cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the formula (1) areobtained in a manner known per se by quaternising a fluorescentwhitening agent B with at least stoichiometric amounts m of a phosphateof the formula ##STR17## wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ have the meanings givenabove, in the temperature range from 60° to 200° C., and optionally inan inert solvent.

Preferred phosphates of the formula (25) are: trimethylphosphate,triethylphosphate, triisopropylphosphate, tri-n-propylphosphate,dibutylmethylphosphate, tribenzylphosphate, diisopropylmethylphosphate,triallylphosphate, tributylphosphate, tris-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate andtris-(methoxyethyl)phosphate. Trimethylphosphate is particularlypreferred. It is also possible to quaternise bases of cationic dyes withthese trialkylphosphates.

Suitable reaction media in which the quaternisation can be carried outare in general all inert solvents. Preferred solvents are those in whichthe starting material dissolves and from which the final productprecipitates immediately. Examples of such solvents are: aromatichydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenatedhydrocarbons, such as trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene,chlorobenzene or dichlorobenzene, and also nitrobenzene; alkanols andopen or cyclic ethers, such as butanol, dibutyl ether, ethylene glycolmonomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, anisole or dioxane;ketones, such as cyclohexanone or methyl ethyl ketone; fatty acidamides, such as dimethyl formamide or dimethyl acetamide; sulfoxides,such as dimethyl sulfoxide; and esters and nitriles of carboxylic acids,such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetonitrile ormethoxypropionitrile. The reaction is carried out for example in thetemperature range from 60° to 200° C., preferably from 80° to 170° C. Onoccasion it is also advantageous to use water as solvent.

A particularly advantageous process comprises carrying out the reactionin an excess of alkylating agent in the temperature range from 60° to200° C., preferably from 100° to 170° C., whereupon the reaction productoften precipitates on cooling or by addition of a suitable solvent, e.g.one of those mentioned above.

As the resultant cationic fluorescent whitening agents are particularlyreadily soluble in water, a reaction mixture which still contains anexcess of water-soluble phosphate of the formula (25) can also bediluted with water without isolation of the fluorescent whitening agent,in order thus to obtain a ready-for-use concentrated solution. Theinvention also relates to such concentrated solutions. Purely aqueoussolutions are obtained by dissolving the isolated cationic fluorescentwhitening agents in the desired amount of water.

To stabilise the aqueous solutions against a possible phosphatehydrolysis, it is possible to add to these solutions a pH buffersubstance, e.g. sodium acetate or sodium lactate. A good buffer actionis also obtained by neutralising the initially usually acidic aqueoussolutions containing excess phosphate with alkali metal hydroxides (e.g.sodium hydroxide), alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates,water-soluble basic amines, or ammonia.

The starting materials of the formula (25) used for the quaternisationare known or they are obtained by methods analogous to known ones.

The novel compounds defined above exhibit a more or less pronouncedfluorescence in the dissolved or finely divided state. They can be usedfor whitening a wide variety of synthetic, regenerated man-made ornatural organic materials or substances which contain such organicmaterials.

The organic materials to be whitened can be in the most widely differentstates of processing (raw materials, semi-finished goods or finishedgoods).

The compounds of the present invention are of importance, inter alia,for the treatment of textile organic materials, especially woventextiles.

Depending on the type of fluorescent whitening agent used, it can beadvantageous to carry out the treatment in a neutral, alkaline or acidbath. The treatment is usually carried out in the temperature range from20° to 140° C., for example at the boiling point of the bath or near it(above 90° C.). Solutions or emulsions in organic solvents can also beused for the treatment of textile substrates according to the invention,as is practised in the dyeing industry in solvent dyeing(pad-thermofixation application, or exhaustion dyeing processes indyeing machines).

The fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention can, forexample, also be employed in the following formulation:

(a) in mixtures with dyes (shading) or pigments (coloured pigments orespecially, for example, white pigments), or as an additive in dyebaths,printing pastes, discharge pastes or reserve pastes, or for theaftertreatment of dyeings, prints or discharge prints;

(b) in mixtures with wetting agents, plasticisers, swelling agents,antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, heat stabilisers and chemicalbleaching agents (chlorite bleach or bleaching bath additives);

(c) in admixture with crosslinking agents or finishing agents (forexample starch or synthetic finishes), and in combination with a widevariety of textile finishing processes, especially synthetic resinfinishes (for example creaseproof finishes such as wash-and-wear,permanent-press or non-iron), as well as flameproof finishes, fabricsoftening finishes, antisoiling finishes or antistatic finishes, orantimicrobial finishes;

(d) incorporation of the fluorescent whitening agents into polymercarriers (polymerisation, polycondensation or polyaddition products, indissolved or dispersed form, for use e.g. in coating agents,impregnating agents or binders (solutions, dispersions and emulsions)for textiles, non-wovens, papers and leather;

(e) as additives in master batches;

(f) as additives in a wide variety of industrial products in order torender these more marketable (for example improving the appearance ofsoaps, detergents, pigments);

(g) in combination with other optically brightening substances;

(h) in spinning bath preparations, that is to say as additives inspinning baths which are used for improving the slip for the furtherprocessing of synthetic fibres, or from a special bath before thestreching of the fibre;

(i) as scintillators for various purposes of a photographic nature, forexample for electrophotographic reproduction or supersensitising;

If the whitening method is combined with textile treatment of finishingmethods, the combined treatment can in many cases advantageously becarried out with the aid of appropriate stable preparations whichcontain the fluorescent whitening agents in a concentration such thatthe desired white effect is achieved.

In certain cases, the fluorescent whitening agents are made fullyeffective by an aftertreatment. This can be, for example, a chemicaltreatment (for example acid treatment), a heat treatment or a combinedchemical/heat treatment.

The amount of fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention tobe used, based on the weight of the material to be whitened, can varywithin wide limits. A marked and lasting effect can be obtained evenwith very insignificant amounts, in certain cases, e.g. 0.0001 percentby weight. But it is also possible to use amounts of up to about 0.8percent by weight and, on occasion, up to about 2 percent by weight. Formost practical purposes, it is preferable to use amounts between 0.005and 0.5 percent by weight.

For various reasons it is often advantageous not to use the fluorescentwhitening agents by themselves, i.e. pure, but in admixture with a widevariety of assistants and extenders, for example anhydrous sodiumsulfate, sodium sulfate decahydrate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate,alkali metal phosphates, such as sodium or potassium orthophosphate,sodium or potassium pyrophosphate and sodium or potassiumtripolyphosphates or alkali metal silicates.

The cationic fluorescent whitening agents of the present invention aresuitable for whitening organic material, especially polyacrylonitrile,polyamide and cellulose.

In the following Examples, percentages are by weight. Unless otherwiseindicated, melting and boiling points are uncorrected.

EXAMPLE 1

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7.1 g ofthe compound of the formula ##STR18## are heated in 20 ml oftrimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 160° C. After this time, a sampleforms a clear solution in water. While cooling, the reaction mixture isdiluted with 50 ml of ethyl acetate and the crystallised product isfiltered with suction at room temperature. The residue, whichdeliquesces in air, is washed repeatedly with ethyl acetate and driedimmediately in vacuo at 100° C., affording 10.8 g of compound of theformula ##STR19## (m.p. 115° C.) which additionally contains 1 mole oftrimethylphosphate crystals and 1 mole of water of crystallisation.

Recrystallisation of this product from 1,2-dichloroethane, or additionof methyl ethyl ketone instead of ethyl acetate to the still hotreaction mixture obtained in the process, yields a product with amelting point of 181° C. which contains no more trimethylphosphatecrystals. The solubility of this product at room temperature is morethan 100 g in 100 ml of water, and that of the correspondingmethosulfate is 0.5 g.

EXAMPLE 2

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7.1 g ofthe compound of the formula ##STR20## are heated in 20 ml oftrimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 160° C. After this time, a sampleforms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture is cooled to roomtemperature to give the compound of the formula ##STR21## in excesstrimethylphosphate, in the form of a viscous oil which can be diluted toany degree with water without precipitation. A 19% solution wasunchanged in aspect after storage for several months. The pH alsoremainded unchanged on storage after neutralisation of a sample withsodium hydroxide. The solubility of the corresponding methosulfate inwater is 0.5%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR22## listed inTable I are obtained in a manner similar to that described in Example 1or 2:

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                  UVλ.sub.max in                                                         polyacrylonitrile                               formula                                                                            R.sub.6                                                                           R.sub.7 R.sub.8      (nm)                                            __________________________________________________________________________    203  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                                                        365                                             204  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 365                                             205  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                          363                                             206  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                               ##STR23##   366                                             207  CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                       SO.sub.2 NHC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                 362                                             208  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                          367                                             209  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                   SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                             366                                             210  CH.sub.3                                                                          n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                     SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                          362                                             211  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                     365                                             212  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                        367                                             213  CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                       SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                          362                                             214  nC.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                  CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                                                        367                                             215  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              COOH         364                                             216  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         364                                             217  CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                       COOH         362                                             218  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              CONHCH.sub.3 360                                             219  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              COOCH.sub.3  364                                             220  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              CONH.sub.2   365                                             221  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              CN           370                                             222  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                  370                                             223  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                   369                                             224  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              CF.sub.3     360                                             225  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              CF.sub.3     364                                             226  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN                                                                  H            361                                             227  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              Cl           363                                             228  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                              SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                                            363                                             229  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 COOCH.sub.3                                                                  H            357                                                                              (in DMF)                                     230  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 CN                                                                           H            360                                             231  CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              CH.sub.3     357                                             __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3

With stirring and while introducing a weak flow of nitrogen, 7 g of thecompound of the formula ##STR24## are heated in 30 ml oftrimethylphosphate for 2 hours to 160° C. While cooling, the denselyprecipitated product is diluted with 30 ml of methyl ethyl ketone andfiltered with suction at room temperature. The residue is washedrepeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone and dried in vacuo at 100° C.,affording 7 g of a pale yellow crystalline product of the formula##STR25## with a melting point of 246° C. The solubility of this productin water at 80° C. is 10%, and that of the corresponding methosulfate is0.3%.

The compounds of the formula

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR26##                                                                                              Solubility                                          No.   R.sub.8    m.p.     in H.sub.2 O at room temperature                    ______________________________________                                        (302) SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        270° C.                                                                          17%                                                (303) CN         220° C.                                                                         3.4%                                                ______________________________________                                    

are obtained in analogous manner.

The solubility of each of the corresponding methosulfates in water atroom temperature is about 0.1%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR27## listed inTable II can also be obtained in the above described manner.

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________                                     UVλ.sub.max in                                                         polyacrylonitrile                            formula                                                                            R.sub.7 R.sub.10                                                                         R.sub.9                                                                             R.sub.8    (nm)                                         __________________________________________________________________________    304  C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                       Cl Cl    H          357                                          305  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  CH.sub.3                                                                            SO.sub.2 OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                357                                          306  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                  SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        363                                          307  CH.sub.3                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                         Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        360                                          308  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                 366                                          309  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        364                                          310  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN*                                                                 H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        367                                          311  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                 364                                          312  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                       H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        361                                          313  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  H     SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        362                                          314  CH.sub.2 CN*                                                                          H  Cl    SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        372                                          315  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                               364                                          316  C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                       H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                        361                                          317  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                      365                                          318  CH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                                                              H  Cl    SO.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH═CH.sub.2                                                      362                                          319  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  Cl    CONHCH.sub.3                                                                             362                                          320  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  Cl    COOCH.sub.3                                                                              363                                          321  CH.sub.3                                                                              H  Cl    COOH       363                                          322  CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              H  Cl    CONH.sub.2 363                                          __________________________________________________________________________     *mixture of isomers (R.sub.7 and CH.sub.3 exchanged).                    

EXAMPLE 4

With stirring, 6.7 g of the compound of the formula ##STR28## are heatedin 8.4 g of trimethylphosphate for 15 minutes to 110°-120° C. After thistime, a sample forms a clear solution in water. The reaction mixture isdiluted with 50 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and the crystallisedproduct is collected by filtration. The residue is washed repeatedlywith methyl ethyl ketone and dried in vacuo at 100° C., affording 8.8 gof compound of the formula ##STR29## (m.p. 143° C.) which contains about2 moles of water of crystallisation. The solubility of this product inwater at room temperature is over 50%, and that of the correspondingmethosulfate is 0.08%.

The compounds of the formulae (402) and (403) ##STR30## are obtained inanalogous manner.

The solubility of the compound of the formula (402) at room temperatureis over 100 g in 100 ml of water, and that of the correspondingmethosulfate or chloride is about 1 g. The solubility of the compound ofthe formula (403) in water at room temperature is about 42%, and that ofthe corresponding methosulfate is 0.05%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR31## listed inTable III

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                                                            Solubility                                                                    in H.sub.2 O at                                                               room                                      for-                                tempera-                                  mula E                      m.p.    ture                                      ______________________________________                                        (405)                                                                              SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                         181° C.                                                                        46%                                       (406)                                                                               ##STR32##             177° C.                                                                        above 67%                                 (407)                                                                              SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                      183° C.                                                                        above 50%                                 ______________________________________                                    

and those of the formula ##STR33## listed in Table IIIa, are alsoobtained in analogous manner.

                                      TABLE IIIa                                  __________________________________________________________________________    Formula                                                                                D             E                                                      __________________________________________________________________________    409  4-chlorophenyl-                                                                             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                 410  "                                                                                            ##STR34##                                                 411  4,5-dichloro-2-methylphenyl                                                                 SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3               412  4,5-dichlorophenyl-                                                                         SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                 413  4,5-dichloro-2-methylphenyl                                                                 SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                 414  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).                       sub.3                                                      415  "                                                                                            ##STR35##                                                 416  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(                       C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                     417  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(                       C.sub.4 H.sub.9).sub.2                                     418  4,5-dichloro-2-methylphenyl                                                                  ##STR36##                                                 419  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).                       sub.3                                                      420  "             SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.2                                H.sub.5).sub.2                                             421  "             COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                       422  4-chlorophenyl                                                                              COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                       423  "                                                                                            ##STR37##                                                 424  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.                       3).sub.3                                                   425  "                                                                                            ##STR38##                                                 426  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3                       ).sub.3                                                    427  "                                                                                            ##STR39##                                                 428  "             SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.2 COO(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3                       ).sub.3                                                    429  "                                                                                            ##STR40##                                                 430  "                                                                                            ##STR41##                                                 431  "                                                                                            ##STR42##                                                 432  "                                                                                            ##STR43##                                                 433  "                                                                                            ##STR44##                                                 434  "                                                                                            ##STR45##                                                 435  4,5-dichloro-2-methylphenyl                                                                  ##STR46##                                                 __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 5

With stirring, 5.6 g of the compound of the formula ##STR47## are heatedin 30 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 100° C., whereupon thereaction product crystallises out. After this time, a sample forms aclear solution in water. The reaction mixture is diluted with 30 ml ofmethyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and the residue is filtered with suctionand washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone, then dried in vacuo at100° C., affording 7.2 g of compound of the formula ##STR48## in almostcolourless crystals with a melting point of 270° C. (with decompos.).

This product dissolves in water at room temperature to give a clearsolution in a concentration of about 40%, compared with 11% for thecorresponding methosulfate.

The compound of the formula ##STR49## (m.p. 190° C.), which containsabout 31/2 moles of water of crystallisation, is obtained in analogousmanner. The solubility of this product in water is at least 50%, andthat of the corresponding methosulfate is 16%.

Heating the compound of the formula (500) with triethylphosphate at 150°C. instead of with trimethylphosphate and repeating the same procedureyields 6.5 g of the compound of the formula ##STR50## which can berecrystallised from 1,2-dichloroethane and contains 11/2 moles of waterof crystallisation (m.p. about 153° C.). The solubility of this productin water is about 40%.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR51## listed inTable IV are obtained in a manner similar to that described in theforegoing Examples.

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                                                           λ.sub.max in                                                           dimethyl                                   For-                               formamide                                  mula G                    L        (nm)                                       ______________________________________                                        505  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                               H        362                                        506  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                     H        355                                        507  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                     H        357                                        508  2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3NCH.sub.3 (C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                     H        351                                         509                                                                                ##STR52##            H        357                                       510  3-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                     4-Cl     362                                        511  2-CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                            H        351                                         512                                                                                ##STR53##            H        361                                        513                                                                                ##STR54##            H        360                                        514                                                                                ##STR55##            H        361                                        515 516                                                                            ##STR56##            H H      361                                        517                                                                                ##STR57##            H        356                                        518                                                                                ##STR58##            H        362                                       519  2-S(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                               H        358                                        520  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                               3-OCH.sub.3                                                                            356                                        521  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                               5-Cl     367                                        522  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                               5-CH.sub.3                                                                             366                                        523  2-CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                       H        352                                         524                                                                                ##STR59##            H        362                                       525  2-COO(CH.sub.2).sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                            H        356                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

With stirring, 5.1 g of the compound of the formula ##STR60## are heatedin 10 ml of trimethylphosphate for 60 minutes to 100° C. After thistime, a sample of the reaction mixture forms a clear solution in water.The reaction mixture is diluted with 30 ml of methyl ethyl ketone,cooled, and the crystallised product is filtered with suction and washedrepreatedly with methyl ethyl ketone. The residue is dried in vacuo at100° C., affording 5.1 g of compound of the formula ##STR61## in theform of pale yellow crystals with a melting point of 187° C. Thesolubility of this product in water at room temperature is over 50%.

The compound of the formula ##STR62## (m.p. 250° C.) is obtained inanalogous manner. The solubility of this product in water at roomtemperature is over 50%, compared with 16% for the correspondingmethosulfate.

The fluorescent whitening agents of the formula ##STR63## listed inTable V are obtained in a manner similar to that described in theforegoing Examples.

                  TABLE V                                                         ______________________________________                                                                           λ.sub.max in                                                           dimethyl                                                                      formamide                                  Formula                                                                              G                  L        (nm)                                       ______________________________________                                        603    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                             H        367                                        604    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                             H        367                                         605                                                                                  ##STR64##          H        367                                        606                                                                                  ##STR65##          H        364                                        607                                                                                  ##STR66##          H        367                                         608                                                                                 ##STR67##          H        358                                        609                                                                                  ##STR68##          H        367                                       610    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub. 3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                           3-OCH.sub.3                                                                            360                                        611    2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                             5-CH.sub.3                                                                             372                                        612    3-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                   4-Cl     366                                        613    2-SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                   H        353                                        614    3-CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                          6-CH.sub.3                                                                             367                                        615    2-CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                     H        352                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

With stirring, 6.25 g of the compound of the formula ##STR69## areheated in 5.6 g of trimethylphosphate for 5 minutes to 80° C. After thistime, a sample forms a clear solution in water and a dense precipitateof the reaction product forms. The reaction mixture is diluted with 50ml of methyl ethyl ketone, cooled, and filtered. The residue, whichdeliquesces in air, is washed repeatedly with methyl ethyl ketone anddried immediately in vacuo at 100° C., affording 8.8 g of compound ofthe formula ##STR70## with a melting point of 188° C. The solubility ofthis product in water at room temperature is over 60%, compared with 44%for the corresponding salt of phosphoric acid.

The compound of the formula ##STR71## which is used, without isolation,after dilution with water, is obtained in a manner similar to thatdescribed in the foregoing Examples. (UV λ_(max) 365 nm in DMF).

EXAMPLE 8

Polyacrylonitrile fabric (Orlon 75) is treated in a dyeing machine, at aliquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of thefluorescent whitening agent of the formula (101), (201), (203), (301),(302), (303), (401), (402), (403), (501), (502), (503), (506), (601) or(612), based on the weight of the goods, 1 g/l of an adduct of 35 molesof ethylene oxide and 1 mole of stearyl alcohol, and 1.5 ml/l of 85%formic acid. The application is effected in accordance with thefollowing temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes.

The polyacrylonitrile fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in runningsoftened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effectis obtained on the treated fabric.

EXAMPLE 9

Modified polyacrylonitrile fabric (Courtelle) is treated in a dyeingmachine, at a liquor ratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains0.1% of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula (101), (201),(203), (301) to (303), (401), (402), (403), (405) to (407),(501), (502),(503), (506), (601) or (612), based on the weight of the goods, 1 g/l ofoxalic acid, 0.25 g/l of a polyphosphate as chelating agent, and 0.125g/l of sodium metabisulfite. The application is effected in accordancewith the following temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes

The polyacrylonitrile fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in runningsoftened water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effectis obtained on the treated fabric.

EXAMPLE 10

Freshly spun, stretched polyacrylonitrile wet tow (corresponding to 3 gdry weight) is immersed, while still moist, at 45° C. for 4 seconds in100 ml of an aqueous liquor which contains 0.0005% of a fluorescentwhitening agent of the formula (101), (301), (401), (402), (403), (501),(506) or (601), and which has been adjusted with concentrated oxalicacid solution to pH 4. The wet tow is then rinsed briefly with water anddried at 90°-100° C. A good white effect is obtained on thepolyacrylonitrile fibre. The whitening can also be carried out e.g. atpH 6 (adjustment by addition of sodium acetate). Raising the temperatureof the liquor e.g. to 40° C. increases the rate of exhaustion. Strongerwhite effects are obtained by increasing the concentration offluorescent whitening agent to e.g. 0.005%.

EXAMPLE 11

A bleached cotton fabric is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquorratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of thefluorescent whitening agent of the formula (501), (502), (503), (506),(601) or (612), based on the weight of the cotton, and 5 g/l of sodiumsulfate. The application is effected in accordance with the followingtemperature programme:

20°-50° C./15 minutes

50° C./15 minutes.

The cotton fabric is then rinsed for 20 seconds in running sofened waterand dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect is obtained onthe treated cotton.

EXAMPLE 12

Bleached cotton fabric is padded at room temperature with an aqueousliquor which contains 1 g/l of the fluorescent whitening agent of theformula (501), (502), (503), (506) or (601). The pick-up is 75%. Thecotton is then dried for 30 seconds at 130° C. in a thermofixingmachine. A good white effect is obtained on the treated cotton fabric.

EXAMPLE 13

A concentrated liquid detergent is prepared by mixing the followingcomponents:

    ______________________________________                                                            % by weight                                               ______________________________________                                        ethoxylated alcohols (C.sub.12 -C.sub.13 alcohol                                                    60.0                                                    with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide)                                             1-methyl-1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleyl-                                                                 26.7                                                    imidazolinium methosulfate                                                    compound of the formula (501), (502),                                                               0.3                                                     (601) or (612)                                                                water                 12.0                                                    customary additives   1.0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

2 kg of bleached cotton fabric are washed for 10 minutes at 50° C. in 60liters of water of 100 ppm hardness which contains 50 to 60 g of theabove detergent. After rinsing and drying, the fabric has a strong whiteeffect and a soft handle.

Similar results are obtained by using non-crosslinked di-tallowdimethylammonium chloride instead of the above imidazolinium compound.

EXAMPLE 14

Bleached cotton fabric is washed at a liquor ratio of 1:20 for 15minutes in a warm aqueous liquor of 40° C. which contains, per liter,0.5 g of an adduct of 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of stearylalcohol, and 0.01 g of the fluorescent whitening agent of the formula(501), (502), (503), (505) or (601). The cotton is then rinsed for 20seconds in running drinking water and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven.A good white effect is obtained on the treated cotton fabric.

EXAMPLE 15

Polyamide 66 woven jersey is treated in a dyeing machine, at a liquorratio of 1:20, with an aqueous bath which contains 0.1% of thefluorescent whitening agent of the formula (401) to (403) or (405) to(407), based on the weight of the fabric, and 3 g/l of sodiumdithionite, stabilised with 40% sodium pyrophosphate. The application iseffected in accordance with the following temperature programme:

40°-97° C./30 minutes

97° C./30 minutes

97°-40° C./15 minutes.

The polyamide fabric is then rinsed for 30 seconds in flowing softenedwater and dried at 70° C. in a drying oven. A good white effect isobtained on the treated fabric.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluorescent whitening composition which is anaqueous solution of 1 to 60% by weight, based on the weight of thesolution, of a cationic fluorescent whitening agent of the formula##STR72## wherein B is a fluorescent whitening agent selected from thegroup consisting of 2-furanylbenzimidazoles, 2-azolylbenzimidazoles,2-stilbenylbenzimidazoles and 2,5-(benzimidazolyl)furanes,m is thenumber of basic amino groups, and each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is alkyl of 1 to4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by anon-chromophoric group, or is alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group.
 2. Thefluorescent whitening composition of claim 1 whereinm is 1 or 2, R₂ andR₃ are identical, each of R₁ R₂ and R₃ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,alkenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and B is a fluorescentwhitening agent of the formula ##STR73## wherein each of R₆ and R₇independently is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by a non-chromophoric group, alkenyl of 2 to 6 carbon atomswhich is unsubstituted or substituted by a non-chromophoric group, or isphenyl, and wherein the benzene rings and the heterocyclic rings canalso carry non-chromophoric substituents.
 3. The fluorescent whiteningcomposition of claim 2 whereinR₁, R₂ and R₃ are identical and are alkylof 1 to 3 carbon atoms and B is a fluorescent whitening agent radical ofthe formula ##STR74## wherein R₆ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R₇ isalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, alkenyl of 3 to 4 carbonatoms, cyanolalkyl of 2 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxycarbonylmethylcontaining 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, R₈ is hydrogen,methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl,cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl containing atotal of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl, --CONZ₁ Z₂ or --SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂,wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 to 4carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkylcontaining a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl, and Z₂ ishydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ and Z₂, together with thenitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a morpholinering, and R₉ and R₁₀, each independently of the other, are hydrogen,chlorine or methyl.
 4. The fluorescent whitening composition of claim 3wherein the fluorescent whitening agent is of the formula ##STR75##wherein A is a radical of the formula ##STR76## wherein R₆ is alkyl of 1to 4 carbon atoms and each of R₉ and R₁₀ independently is hydrogen,chlorine or methyl, R₇ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl,alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms,alkoxycarbonylmethyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkoxymoiety, and R₈ is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine, alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, phenoxysulfonyl,alkoxycarbonyl containing a total of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyl,CONZ₁ Z₂ or SO₂ NZ₁ Z₂, wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbonatoms, alkenyl of 3 or 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 2 to 4 carbonatoms, alkoxyalkyl containing a total of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or benzyl,and Z₂ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or Z₁ and Z₂, togetherwith the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form amorpholine ring.
 5. The fluorescent whitening composition of claim 4whereinR₆ is methyl, R₇ is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenylor cyanoalkyl of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, R₈ is hydrogen, alkylsulfonyl of 1to 4 carbon atoms, phenylsulfonyl, phenoxysulfonyl, sulfamoyl,alkylsulfamoyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 4 carbonatoms, cyano or chlorine, R₉ is chlorine and R₁₀ is hydrogen, chlorineor methyl.
 6. The fluorescent whitening composition of claim 1 furthercontaining an excess of a water-soluble trialkylphosphate ortrialkenylphosphate.
 7. The fluorescent whitening composition of claim 1further containing a buffering agent.